The celebration of International Women’s Day has been described locally as a recognition of women’s achievements in the dominant patriarchal society they’ve been born into.
A number of events are taking place all over the country to mark today’s celebration of women.
Clare FM’s Fiona McGarry reports:
There’s a call for more to be done to tackle gender inequality this International Women’s Day.
The past year has seen the “Time’s Up” and “Me Too” campaigns highlight issues such as sexual harassment, but a range of figures show there are many areas where women are still under-represented, both here at home and around the world.
In Irish politics, only 22% of TDs are female, while just 3 of Clare’s 28 Councillors are women.
Community Liaison Officer at the University of Limerick, Gabriella Hanrahan says women aren’t working in areas where they can make a difference politically.
Former Mayor of Clare Patricia McCarthy believes that International Women’s Day presents the opportunity to highlight the deficiencies within the political arena.
She says lot has changed since she was first elected in the seventies, but not as much as we think.
Only 19% of professors in our Universities are female – in the Institue of Technology sector, 45% of academic staff are women.
However, only 29% find themselves in academic leadership or management positions.
But Dean of Flexible Learning and Vice President of Equality and Diversity at LIT, Enniswoman Marian Duggan feels women are now becoming confident enough to chase after better opportunities.
Meanwhile, events are being held in Clare and elsewhere to mark International Women’s Day.
And while the day is one in which the spotlight is shone on issues, it also sees a celebration of women.
The Irish Countrywomen’s Association Guilds in Clare have come together to erect a colourful ‘yarn bomb’, covering areas near the Maid of Erin roundabout in a knitted display.
Their Clare President is Joanne Allen.
